Seeds of Hope
Seeds of Hope is now open!
The Spring 2026 Seeds of Hope granting cycle is now open! Please contact Jenna Yango Leonard at grants@united-church.ca for more information or to talk about your project. Follow us on social media and sign up for our newsletter to stay up-to-date with the latest granting and Foundation news.
The Seeds of Hope granting program supports innovative, unique projects which enable us to live out the New Creed’s call to seek justice, live with respect in Creation, and love and serve others.
The Foundation is a pillar of support for various initiatives within the United Church community and its partners. Seeds of Hope is our main granting program, funding several dozen projects in each of our Spring and Fall grant cycles.
Grants are open to applications from congregations, camps, theological schools, outdoor education centres, Regional Councils, and even non-United Church of Canada organizations.
These opportunities are made possible by the faithful generosity of United Church people (read more about the Funds that grant through Seeds of Hope below).
This page will help you learn more about the Seeds of Hope granting program.
Have questions?
We are here to help power your ministry. If you have questions about the application process, or whether your project is eligible for funding, please contact Jenna Yango Leonard, Foundation Coordinator, at 1-866-340-8223, or fill the form out below.
How to apply
The preferred method to apply for a Seeds of Hope grant is through our online application form. After creating an account, you may fill out the application. You may access your application and edit it as many times as you wish before submission. You will not be able to edit or access your application after submitting it, or after the application deadline has passed.
Information collected in the application process will only be used for the purposes of reviewing grant applications, will only be accessible to the Foundation, and will be held in confidence.
We recognize that not all people across Canada have reliable internet access. If you require an alternate application method due to connectivity challenges, please get in touch with us to discuss accommodation options.
Grant program guidelines
All applications must be submitted by the deadline, on the correct form, and completed in full to be considered by the Joint Grants Committee. Priority will be given to applications that:
- benefit either The United Church of Canada as a whole, or a broad constituency within The United Church of Canada (or a partner organization)
- are innovative and encourage new expressions of ministry
- will continue to have an impact after the grant is expended
- strengthen the capacity of organizations that further the work of The United Church of Canada
Pilot or start-up projects should include provision for evaluation and a plan for financial viability beyond the pilot or start-up stage.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will I hear if I’ve received a grant?
The Joint Grants Committee meets in the weeks following the round closing to review all applications. The recommendations are then approved by the Board. You should hear approximately 6 weeks after the round has closed.
Are these matching grants?
Matching grants may be made in appropriate circumstances to stimulate response from other sources.
Can we request multi-year funding?
Multi-year funding will be considered in appropriate circumstances, subject to regular progress reports and financial reports, but we do not normally fund regular core programs. Successful applicants will be notified at the time of initial funding if they are receiving multi-year funding.
Can we request funding for the same project more than once?
Applicants who submit requests for funding for projects they previously received a grant for should be aware that they may not receive any funding in subsequent years or, if they do receive funding, that it will be at a reduced level.
Which Fund(s) should I apply to?
You do not need to apply to any specific Fund. Completing the application thoroughly will help the Joint Grants Committee select the most appropriate Fund for your project.
Do you fund capital projects?
In most cases, capital assistance requests are not prioritized, but there are some Funds which grant specifically for capital projects (e.g. Camping Trust). We would be glad to have a conversation with you about whether your project would qualify. For more information on capital assistance, please check The United Church of Canada’s resource page here or speak with your Regional Council.
How much should I ask for?
Seeds of Hope grants can fund up to 50% of your total project budget. The balance of funding must come from other sources. We encourage you to explore partnership(s) with additional community organizations (this can strengthen your project, impact, and your application!) to support your project.
Where can I find further information about the application?
We have hosted several webinars about grants, and we update them regularly with any new information. To watch our most recent webinar please click here.
How do I know if my project is a good fit?
A good place to start is taking note of what projects we have funded in past rounds. We also regularly feature grantees on our blog and in webinars. You can find the collection of grant announcements, webinars, and blogs here.
Do you fund non-United Church organizations?
Yes, we are able to grant to organizations that are not affiliated with The United Church of Canada. Your project should align strongly with United Church of Canada values and the Foundation’s named priorities. Having a link and/or support from a United Church organization is helpful, but not required.
“Seeing people become fully alive in God knows no bounds. My hope and joy is witnessing first-hand the ground that’s been broken around the vision of this program! As a long-time staff member of Silver Lake United Church Camp, I am very grateful to have been a direct beneficiary of the investment of many wonderful mentors and leaders.” – Emily Cawley
Recent Recipients
We are pleased to share the recipients of our Fall 2025 grants. Thank you to the groups bringing this amazing ministry to life, and to the donors whose generosity made these grants possible.
congratulations!
You’ve received a Seeds of Hope grant. Now what?
Seeds of Hope Granting Funds
These are the Funds that comprise the Seeds of Hope granting pool.We are grateful to the United Church people and organizations whose faithful forethought makes these grants possible year after year.
Note: Grants may come from a singular Fund or a combination of Funds. You do not need to apply to a specific Fund.
Programs for Seniors
The Watkins Fund and The Ann Baker Estate Trust for Innovative Ministries with Senior Adults
The Watkins Fund for Senior Adults is a bequest to The United Church of Canada from Reginald W. Watkins for the purpose of work with senior adults. The Ann Baker Estate Trust is a bequest to the United Church of Canada from Ann Baker for the purpose of work with seniors and seniors’ homes.
Grants from the fund are available to United Church pastoral charges, United Church outreach ministries and United Church corporations to support innovative initiatives in seniors’ ministry.
Children and Anti-Poverty Programs
Watkins Fund/ Wesley C. Smith Fund for Innovative Programs and Projects in Addressing Poverty and Children at Risk
The Watkins Fund/Wesley C. Smith Fund is comprised of a bequest to a bequest to The United Church of Canada from the estate Reginald W. Watkins for the purpose of work with the economically disadvantaged populations and a bequest to The United Church of Canada from the estate of Wesley C. Smith for work with at-risk children.
Grants from the fund are available to United Church pastoral charges, United Church outreach ministries and United Church corporations to support innovative ministry with the poor or with children at risk.
Camping Trust
The Camping Trust was created to assist United Church camping ministries.
Housing Programs
Ina Grafton Gage Trust
Early last century, Ina Grafton Gage had a vision of providing housing for those in need. Today her generosity continues to positively impact lives across the country through grants from her fund.
General Programs
The Davey Family Fund, the Kingscourt United Church Fund, and The C. Jean Moore Endowment Fund
The Davey Family, Kingscourt United Church, and Jean C. Moore Endowment Funds are “Inspiration Funds” to respond to changing conditions and new ministry needs in any area.
After growing up in the United Church and staying a faithful and committed member of the Church throughout her life, Shirley (Geiger) Davey believed deeply in the work of The United Church of Canada and wanted to see it continued in the 21st century and beyond. This led her to create the Davey Family Fund, leaving her gift to the wider church to ensure the work continues in whatever way is needed.
Upon closing in 2010, Kingscourt United Church (Kingston, ON) created the Kingscourt United Church Fund with the proceeds of sale of the church to ensure the spirit and good work of their congregation live on through grants given through the Seeds of Hope Program.
(Catherine) Jean Moore was a long-time member of Canadian Memorial United Church in Vancouver, BC, and a staunch supporter and advocate of the Mission & Service of the Church. Before she died in 2016 at the age of 100, Jean included in her will a very generous bequest to The United Church of Canada Foundation to ensure her contribution to the life and work of the Church continued far beyond her lifetime.
The Brian & Belva Piercy Fund
The Brian & Belva Piercy Fund helps people address peace, justice and environmental concerns.
After Brian Piercy’s death, Belva heard about the option of creating a Fund at the Foundation. Wanting to see the work of the church continue, Belva created the Brian & Belva Piercy Fund to ensure that they support Mission and Service and innovative new programs relating to peace and social justice work in their lifetime and beyond
The Gilmore Park United Church Fund
In 1956 Gilmore Park United Church (Richmond, BC) began as a group of young families (9 adults and 15 children) who came together to worship and raise their children in the Christian faith. In 2019 Gilmore Park United Church established this fund in order to support Christian education for adults, or youth, or children who are members of a United Church community of faith or related organization.
Grants from this fund are available to a United Church community of faith or related organization to assist with the costs of Christian education programming. Grants will be a maximum of $2,000 and must be used to defray the costs of the education and may not be used for capital expenditures.
The Foundation’s Leadership Fund
The Leadership Fund will make grants to initiatives that support and sustain leaders of The United Church of Canada, lay and ordered, spiritual and temporal.
Lectureships and Events
The Alfred J. Mitchell Trust
The Alfred J. Mitchell Trust was established for the promotion of preaching of mission and ethics in the province of Ontario.
Grants are available to United Church–related, Ontario-based organizations such as congregations, learning centres, community ministries, and theological schools, etc.
The William Naylor Trust
The William Naylor Trust was created by the members of the 1971 Keswick Conference Planning Committee to honour the memory of the late William Naylor who had been the Chair of that Committee.
The James Robertson Memorial Trust
The James Robertson Memorial Trust is for the sponsorship of lectureships.
Grants are available to United Church congregations, learning centres, community ministries, and theological schools outside of Ontario providing a learning event focusing on preaching.
